Los Angeles Dodgers vs Atlanta Braves

This matchup turns on what happens after Atlanta's starter leaves. Blake Snell gives Los Angeles a strong opening stretch against a Braves lineup that did less damage against left-handed pitching this season, while Ray Kerr is returning soon after a short outing. I expect the Dodgers' hitters to keep pressing into the middle innings, where this series opener was decided.

The Los Angeles Dodgers hold a massive structural advantage on the mound in Game 2 of the NLDS. While the Atlanta Braves are forced to deploy an opener and lean entirely on a heavily taxed relief corps, the Dodgers are countering with a traditional starter in Blake Snell. With a well-rested bullpen behind him, Los Angeles is in prime position to control the pace of the game from the first pitch and pull away.

The first game turned when Atlanta had to leave its opener. Los Angeles went scoreless against Dylan Dodd, then its middle order got to the relief staff. With Blake Snell taking the ball next, those middle innings are the hinge of this matchup.

This combination looks to take advantage of severe pitching exhaustion in the baseball playoffs alongside managerial chaos in the Argentine league. The Los Angeles Dodgers hold a massive structural edge on the mound in Game 2 of the NLDS, while Estudiantes de Rio Cuarto are perfectly positioned to frustrate a reeling Racing Club. Both situations present rested home teams against visitors dealing with significant internal disadvantages.

I expect the Dodgers to do their most important hitting after Atlanta's starter leaves. Ray Kerr was sharp against Philadelphia, but his outing ended after 3 1/3 innings, and the handoff to relief pitching decided the series opener. Blake Snell gives Los Angeles another left-handed matchup against a Braves lineup that hit lefties less effectively during the regular season. Those two pitching sequences are the heart of my call.

Atlanta comes into Game 2 without a real starter for the second night in a row, while the Dodgers hand the ball to a lefty who has barely been touched since August. This isn't just a big name against a small one. The Braves have to cover most of nine innings with their depth arms against the deeper lineup, and their own bats have gone quiet. I expect LA to pull away in the middle innings, not just squeeze out a close one.

Game 2 comes down to how many innings each side can actually cover. The Dodgers hand the ball to Blake Snell, who hasn't allowed more than one run in any start since he got healthy in August. Atlanta are opening with Ray Kerr on two days' rest, a day after another bullpen game. I'm backing the gap in the middle innings, not just the Dodgers' name.

This is Game 2 of the Dodgers-Braves series, and the pitching setup is what caught my eye. Blake Snell, a lefty, takes the ball for Los Angeles, while Atlanta goes with lefty reliever Ray Kerr as an opener and then has to cover the rest of the game with a bullpen that has barely had a break. My judgement turns on the Dodgers lineup getting to see a parade of relievers against a staff that is already stretched, not on them simply being the better-known team.